Automatic latching mechanism and film guide arm for a cartrige-loaded motion pictureprojector



July 30. 1968 J, BUNT|NG 3,394,901

AUTOMATIC LATCHING MECHANISM AND FILM GUIDE ARM FOR A CARTRIDGE-LOADEDMOTION PICTURE PROJECTOR Original Filed Nov. 1, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1LESLIE J BU/VTl/VG INVEN OR.

BYKMMW July 30, 1968 1.. J. BUNTING 3,394,901

AUTOMATIC LATCHING MECHANISM AND FILM GUIDE ARM FOR A CARTRIDGE-LOADEDMOTION PICTURE PROJECTOR Original Filed Nov. 1, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2LESL/E J. HUNT/N6 INVEETOR.

i" BY ATTORNEYS United States Patent AUTOMATIC LATCHING MECHANISM ANDFILM GUIDE ARM FOR A CARTRIDGE-LOADED MO- TION PICTURE PROJECTOR LeslieJ. Bunting, Rochester, N.Y., assignor to Eastman Kodak Company,Rochester, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Continuation of applicationSer. No. 591,314, Nov. 1, 1966. This application Nov. 7, 1967, Ser. No.681,295

11 Claims. (Cl. 242-71.1)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A latching mechanism for releasably latchinga cartridge to an apparatus such as a motion picture projector. Themechanism latches the cartridge to the projector automatically as thecartridge is inserted into position on the projector. A film guide .armalso may be automatically positioned by the mechanism upon suchinsertion. Easy release of the cartridge is accomplished by cooperatingcams on latching arms of the mechanism, which cams cause release by allof the latching arms in response to release by one of said arms.

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 591,314, now abandoned,filed Nov. 1, 1966.

The present invention is directed to an automatic latching mechanism onan apparatus for easy attachment and release of a cartridge that is tobe used with the apparatus, and preferably is directed to an automaticlatching mechanism for use on a motion picture projector so that acartridge containing strip material may be readily at tached to andreleased from the motion picture projector.

The present invention is further directed to a film guide arm that isautomatically positioned on the motion picture projector from the storedor inoperative position of the guide arm to its operating position whenthe automatic latching mechanism is actuated.

In a co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 591,248, entitled, Rim Trapfor Photographic Film Projection Cartridge, filed Nov. 1, 1966, byRobert J. Roman, is disclosed a cartridge for projecting a reel of stripmaterial in a motion picture film projector whereby in order tofacilitate setting up the projector for operation the cartridge isprovided with an arrangement by which the film leader is trapped in theouter periphery of the cartridge each time the film is rewound in thecartridge. This arrangement thus enables the projectionist to readilygrasp the film leader through a finger Opening in the cartridge andremove the film leader from the cartridge for insertion in the automaticthreading mechanism of the projector.

Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to furtherfacilitate the operation of setting up the project-or by providing onthe cartridge chamfered latching surfaces and by providing on theprojector an automatic latching mechanism for latch engagement with thecharnfered latching surfaces to readily attach the cartridge to theprojector and release the cartridge from the projector.

The motion picture projector that I contemplate using may be one that issuitable for use with conventional film supply reels of different sizesas well as being suitable for receiving the cartridge discussed in thisapplication and in the above-mentioned co-pending application. Themotion picture projector may be similar to the one disclosed inco-pending US. application Ser. No. 397,451, entitled AutomaticRewinding Mechanism for Film or the Like, filed Sept. 18, 1964, byRobert J. Roman, now Patent No. 3,300,155. In the Roman applicationrelating to the rim trap arrangement on the cartridge, the film guidearm is disclosed as being vertically disposed in a predeterminedoperative position on the projector relative to the finger opening inthe cartridge to serve certain purposes more fully described in thatapplication. Since the film guide arm or idler arm and idler, asdescribed in that application, is not used when a conventional filmsupply reel is to be used on the projector, the film guide arm must beremoved from the path of the reel. Accordingly, another object of thepresent invention is to provide on the motion picture projector a filmguide arm that is to be used with the cartridge when the cartridge isloaded on the projector and to arrange the film guide arm so that it ismovable automatically from an inoperative position to an operativeposition when the automatic latching mechanism is actuated by thecartridge being loaded on the projector.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled inthe art to which this invention pertains from the drawings and thedescription that follows.

In the drawings:

In FIG. 1 is shown a perspective exploded view of parts of theprojection cartridge, of a supply reel of film and illustrating a slotin an edge of the film leader extending from the reel, and of thatportion of a film projector adapted to receive the cartridge;

In FIG. 2 is shown a view in elevation of the cartridge, automaticlatching mechanism and its release arm and the film guide arm, andillustrating the automatic latching mechanism in solid lines in latchedengagement with the cartridge and unlatched position in phantom lines,the film guide arm in the inoperative position in solid lines and in theoperative position in phantom lines, and the cartridge in phantom lines;

In FIG. 3 is shown a fragmentary view of the automatic latchingmechanism taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and illustrating portions ofthe film-loaded cartridge, one of the chamfered latching surfaces on thecartridge, and the projector as the cartridge is about to be loaded onthe projector;

In FIG. 4 is shown a view similar to FIG. 3 and illustrating theengagement of the chamfered surface with the automatic latchingmechanism as the car-tridge is being moved toward seated position on theprojector; and

In FIG. 5 is shown a view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 and illustrating thelatched position of the automatic latching mechanism after the cartridgeis in seated position on the projector.

The automatic latching mechanism of this invention constitutes animprovement over the prior art and is designed to readily attach acartridge in loaded position on a projector and to readily release thecartridge from the projector.

The arrangement by which the film guide arm of this invention is readilyreleased for movement from an inoperative to an operative position bythe actuation of the automatic latching mechanism also constitutes animprovement over the prior art.

In reference to the drawings, the automatic latching mechanism isindicated generally at 10 in FIG. 2, the film guide or idler arm at 12,the motion picture film projector at 14, the projection cartridge at 16,the film supply reel at 18, and the film at 20.

Only the pertinent portions of a motion picture film projector necessaryto an understanding of the invention are shown since those portions notshown would be conventional. Thus, in FIG. 1 the projector 14 isprovided with a recessed support plate 22 for receipt of the projectioncartridge; a supply spindle 24 for rotatably receiving the film supplyreel 18 in the cartridge; and a drive member (not shown) which rewindsthe reel by means of the engagement of the spring member 26 on thespindle with the reel. The manner in which the drive member operates ismore fully described in the above-, mentioned Roman U.S. applicationSer. No. 397,451. The construction and operation of the supply spindle24 and its spring member 26 are more fully described in my co-pendingU.S. application Ser. No. 591,315, entitled Spindle for Supporting Reelsor Spools for Rotation, filed Nov. 1, 1966.

In FIG. 1 the projection cartridge is shown in two separate parts: 16afor the outer casing and 16b for the inner cartridge piece. Both innercartridge and outer casing are preferably formed from a suitableplastic, and the inner cartridge piece is designed to fit Within theouter casing in proper oriented position. The outer casing may beprovided with a key (not shown) which fits Within a keyway 11b in theinner cartridge piece to facilitate the orientation of one part to theother. An additional key 77 may be provided on the recessed plate 22 ofthe projector for fitting within a keyway 79 provided on the innercartridge piece 16b so as to ensure proper orientation of the cartridgeto the projector when the cartridge is loaded on the projector. The filmsupply reel 18 snap-fits within the cartridge when the two parts 16a and16b are in assembled relation, as more fully described in co-pendingU.S. application Ser. No. 591,249, entitled Projection Cartridge, filedNov. 1, 1966, by Robert J. Roman. All other details mentioned in thisparagraph including the film 20 and the purpose of the slot 28 in thefilm leader 30 are more fully described in the abovementioned Romanapplication on the rim trap arrangement.

The cartridge 16 is provided on the outside periphery with two recessedsurfaces 32, each recessed surface being terminated at one edge of thecartridge, respectively, by an abutting surface 32a, and by a chamfer32b. Each set of these surfaces, 32, 32a and 3212, will henceforth bedescribed as a chamfered latching surface.

Automatic latching mechanism The automatic latching mechanism 10includes lever 36 pivotally mounted on stud 38 and lever 40 pivotallymounted on stud 42. Lever 36 has an offset arm 44 which constitutes alatch end with a beveled surface 44a for cooperating with the chamferedlatching surface located at the bottom of the cartridge when looking atFIG. 2. Lever 40 has an offset arm 46 with a beveled surface 46a whichconstitutes a latch end for cooperating with the other chamferedlatching surface located at the upper right hand side of the cartridge,also when looking at FIG. 2.

Lever 36 has a second arm 48 at the opposite end from the offset arm 44which is provided with a tab 50, and lever 40 has a second arm 52 at theopposite end from the offset arm 46 which is provided with a tab 54,both tabs serving a purpose to be described.

Lever 40 further has a release arm 56 which may be operated to movelever 40 against the bias of its spring 58 to a position for releasingthe cartridge from the projector. When lever 40 is moved against itsspringbias, its tab 54 is moved into engagement with tab 50 on lever 36causing lever 36 to be moved against the bias of its spring 60 to aposition also for releasing the cartridge from the projector. Each ofthe springs 58 and 60, are torsion springs which fit respectively overthe studs 42, 38. One of the arms of spring 58 abuts against pin 62 onthe projector and the other arm abuts a tab 64 on the lever 40. Spring60 has one arm abutting against a pin 66 on the projector and anotherarm abutting a tab 68 on the lever 36.

Operation of automatic latching mechanism In reference particularly toFIGS. 3, 4 and 5, as the cartridge is moved toward seated position onthe recessed support plate 22 of the projector, the chamfers 32b arebrought into engagement, respectively, with the beveled surfaced latchends of offset arms 44, 46 and thereby causing the offset arms to becammed laterally, as viewed from these figures, respectively within therecessed surfaces 70 on the support plate 22 of the projector. Thislateral movement, of course, causes each of the levers 36, 40 to bemoved about their pivots against the bias of their springs 60, 58. Whenthe cartridge reaches seated position, as shown in FIG. 5, the latchends of offset arms 44, 46 return to their normal springbiased positionin latched engagement with the cartridge with the latch ends each beingin positive engagement, respectively, against an abutting surface 32a onthe cartridge.

One advantage in individually springing each lever 36, 40 is to assurepositive latching even if the cartridge is not inserted so as to causesimultaneous latch engagement of both latch ends with the cartridge.

Release of the cartridge is accomplished by manually pressing down onthe release arm 56 of the lever 40. This manual force causes the lever40 to rotate about its pivot 42 against its spring-bias. After a partialrotation the tab 54 will travel through the gap between the respectivetabs until the tab 54 contacts tab 50 on lever 36, thus causing lever 36also to rotate about its pivot 38 against its spring-bias as forcecontinues to be exerted on release arm 56. In this manner the latch endsof the levers are caused to move laterally or to retract within therecessed surfaces 70 on the projector support plate 22, thus permittingmanual removal of the cartridge from the support plate.

Film guide arm The automatic latching mechanism may, when actuated, alsoserve to release the film guide arm 12 from its inoperative position,shown in solid lines in FIG. 2, so that the film guide arm may berotated by its torsion spring 76 about its pivot 78 counterclockwise tooperative position, shown in phantom lines in FIG. 2. Thecounterclockwise rotation continues until the film guide arm meets thestop surface 80 (FIG. 1) on the projector.

In order to accomplish the release of the film guide arm to itsoperative position, a hook 82 is provided adjacent the latch and onlever 40'. A pin 84 is provided on the film guide arm, and the hook 82so engages the pin 84 when the film guide arm is moved to itsinoperative position as to retain the film guide arm in the inoperativeposition. A small rotation of the lever 40, caused either by inserting acartridge as described above, or by applying a downward pressure on therelease arm 56 will cause the hook to move out of retaining engagementwith the pin 84 and thus release the film guide arm for movement tooperative position. The film guide arm may be manually moved to itsinoperative position when the projector is to be used with aconventional film supp-1y reel.

The film guide or idler arm is provided with a roller or idler 86 andthe purpose of this arrangement, as mentioned above, is more fullydescribed in a co-pending application, as well as in my co-pending U.S.application Ser. No. 591,153, entitled Film Guide Edges on ProjectionCartridge, filed Nov. 1, 1966. The latter application shows thecooperation of the idler arm and idler with the finger opening 88 in theedge of the cartridge (FIGS. 1 and 2).

Although the apparatus on which the automatic latching mechanismoperates is described as a motion picture film projector, it will bereadily recognized that the latching mechanism could be used on anyother type of apparatus that is designed to receive a cartridge.Similarly, the film guide arm would also be suitable for operating onother apparatus involving the use and guidance of strip materials.

Although the foregoing description relates to specific embodiments ofthe invention, it is obvious that variations and modifications can beeffected within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, thepresent disclosure is to be considered as illustrative and not aslimiting the scope of the invention which is defined by the followingclaims.

I claim:

1. A latching mechanism, for releasably latching a film cartridge to afilm projector, comprising:

first and second independently movable latching arms independentlymounted on the projector, each of said first and second arms beingmovable between a latching location and a releasing location;

means for biasing each of said first and second arms toward its latchinglocation; and

cooperating means on said arms for moving said second arm toward itsreleasing location in response to movement of said first arm toward itsreleasing location. 2. In combination with a film projector, and a filmcartridge having first and second latching surfaces each including achamferred portion, a latching mechanism comprising:

first and second movably mounted latching levers adapted to cooperatewith the first and second latching surfaces, respectively, each of saidfirst and second levers being movable in a direction to engage thecorresponding latching surface to latch the cartridge to the projector,and being movable in a direction to disengage the corresponding latchingsurface to release the cartridge from the projector; and, means forbiasing each of said levers toward engagement with the correspondinglatching surface; each of said levers having an offset end including abeveled portion adapted to be engaged by the chamferred portion of thecorresponding latching surface to effect latching engagement of each ofsaid levers with the corresponding latching surface when a cartridge ispositioned on the projector; and cooperating means on said levers formoving said second lever in a direction to disengage its correspondinglatching surface in response to movement of said first lever in adirection to disengage its corresponding latching surface. 3. Anautomatic latching mechanism adapted to be mounted on a motion pictureprojector for latching to said projector and releasing from saidprojector a filmloaded cartidge having at least two latching surfaces,and comprising:

first and second movable levers; means for individually biasing saidfirst and second levers toward latching positions in engagement with thelatching surfaces respectively of the cartridge;

means for moving said first lever from said latching position; and

cooperating abutment means on each of said first and second levers formoving said second lever from its latching position in response tomovement of said first lever from its latching position to therebyrelease the cartridge.

4. An automatic latching mechanism, adapted to be mounted on anapparatus for latching to the apparatus and releasing from the apparatusa striploaded cartridge having latching surfaces, comprising:

first and second levers independently movable in directions to engagethe latching surfaces of the cartridge 6 for latching the cartridge tothe projector, said first and second levers also being movable indirections to release the cartridge from the projector;

means for biasing each of said first and second levers in said latchingdirections; and

abutment means on each of said levers for moving one of said levers in areleasing direction in response to movement of the other of said leversin a releasing direction.

5. An automatic latching mechanism on an apparatus for latching to saidapparatus and releasing from said apparatus a strip-loaded cartridgehaving latching surfaces, and comprising:

first and second movably mounted levers each being individuallyspring-biased to a latching position and adapted to engage said latchingsurfaces on a cartridge and being movable to a releasing positionadapted to release said cartridge from said apparatus; and

mutually cooperating means on each of said first and second levers, formoving one of said levers toward said releasing position in response tomovement of the other lever toward its releasing position.

6. An automatic latching mechanism as defined in claim 5, wherein eachof said mounted levers has an offset arm for engaging a latching surfaceon said cartridge.

7. An automatic latching mechanism as defined in claim 5, wherein saidmeans on said first and second levers each constitute a tab on an armoffset at one end of each of said levers.

8. An automatic latching mechanism as defined in claim 5, wherein saidfirst lever has a release arm against which force can be exerted to movesaid first lever against its spring-bias to said releasing position.

9. An automatic lacthing mechanism as defined in claim 5, wherein saidlevers are movably mounted on pivots.

10. An automatic latching mechanism as defined in claim 5, and includinga spring-biased film guide arm movable from an inoperative position toan operative position in predetermined vertical relationship to saidcartridge, and wherein said latching mechanism and said film guide armhave cooperating means for retaining said film guide arm in itsinoperative position against its springbias.

11. An automatic latching mechanism as defined in claim 5, and includinga spring-biased film guide arm movable from an inoperative position toan operative position in predetermined vertical relationship to saidcartridge, and wherein said latching mechanism has a hook and said filmguide arm has a pin with the hook being adapted to retainingly engagesaid pin for retaining said film guide arm in its inoperative positionagainst its spring-bias.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,451,842 4/ 1923 Pittman 24271.11,998,324 4/1935 Lloyd 24271.1 X

FRANK J. COHEN, Primary Examiner.

NATHAN L. MINTZ. Assistant Examiner.

